Device for applying a weight to a line



Oct. 10, 1961 J. M. MACY ETAL 3,003,376

DEVICE FOR APPLYING A WEIGHT TO A LINE Filed Feb 11, 1957 w 5 Fg-l INVENTORS. 3' J M. MAcY 2Q EQB L-Z Y JSHAA/AH4M ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,003,376 DEVICE FOR APPLYING A WEIGHT TO A LINE John M. Macy and Robert J. Shanahan, South Bend, Ind., assignors to South Bend Tackle Company, Inc., South Bend, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Filed Feb. 11, 1957, Ser. No. 639,263 12 Claims. (CI. 81-15) This invention relates to a device for applying a weight to a line, and more particularly to a device for applying and clamping a split weight member at selected position upon a line, such as a fishing line.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a device of this character which is simple in construction, easy to operate in any location, inexpensive, small and compact in size so that it may be carried in the pocket of the user, and which is provided with a novel carrier for a plurality of weight members.

A further object is to provide a device of this character having a novel carrier for 'a plurality of split weight members, which carrier is detachably and adjustably mounted to permit rapid and convenient attachment and replacement thereof and is so constructed and mounted as to accommodate proper indexing of a selected weight member thereof at a station at which it can be clamped upon a line.

A further object is to provide a device of this character which accommodates convenient presentation of a line to a slot in a weight member, which includes a carrier for a plurality of weight members to retain a selected orientation of the slot in each member to enable a line to be presented thereto conveniently when indexed at a clampizv position in the device, which accommodates successive or selective indexing of weight members with out requiring release of the carrier from the device, and which accommodates, within a carrier member of a selected size, weight members of difierent sizes within a substantial range of sizes.

A further object is to provide a device of this character which is normally held by a spring in a starting position and which mounts a carrier for Weight members within the overall outline thereof so that the device and the weight carrier constitute a single, readily manipulable unit which is constructed similarly to a pair of pliers for convenience of operation and provision of adequate leverage for clinching purposes and has clinching jaws so oriented to the pivot axis therebetween and to the slotted portion of the weight members in a carrier as to insure proper application of clinching force for firm clamping of a weight member upon a line.

A further object is to provide a device of this character having a novel arrangement of parts to accommodate the splitting of aweight member clinched upon a line in a manner to avoid cutting of the line when the shot is being split to release it from the line.

A further object is to provide a device of this character with a socket adapted to receive a weight member clamped on a line juxtaposed to a weight-splitting memher, which socket is so shaped as to accommodate positioning of said line clear of the path of said weight-splitting member during operation thereof to split a weight.

FIG. 1;

support or jaw face.

3,003,375 Patented Oct. 10, 1961 ice FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the carrier for the weight members, illustrating the manner in which a line can be presented thereto in position to accommodate clinching of a weight member on the line;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a weight member clinched upon a line;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary radial sectional view of the carrier for the weight member;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on line 9-9 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 illustrating the operation of the device to split a weight member; and

FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 11-11 ofFIG. 1.

Referring to the drawing which illustrates the preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral 20 designates one jaw of a plier-like structure offset from an intermediate web 21 from which projects in oppositely offset relation and in opposite direction a handle member 22. A second plier handle 23 has an intermediate ofiset portion 24 which carries a jaw 25 offset oppositely from and extending in opposite direction to the handle 23 in respect to the portion 24. The two parts are preferably formed of metal and are arranged in crossed or intersecting relation, for which purpose one part, such as the web 24 and jaw 25, is preferably bifurcated to receive the web 21 of the other part. A jaw insert 26 is fixedly secured within the bifurcated jaw 25 by securing means 27. As here illustrated, the bifurcated jaw 25 and insert 26 are curved, and one end portion 28 of the insert 26 projects beyond the free ends of the jaw forks 25 and substantially perpendicularly thereto.

The web portions 21 and 24 are interconnected by a pivot member 29. The construction is such that a manual squeeze or grip upon the handles 22 and 23 urges the jaws 20 and 25 toward each other with substantial leverage or force multiplication. Resilient means are provided to normally hold the jaws 20 and 25 apart. As here illustrated, the resilient means is of cantilever character and preferably constitutes a resilient member 30 seated in a recess in a web 21 and projecting lengthwise relative to and between the jaw arms 25 to engage the rear inner end portion of the insert 26 mounted by the jaws 25. V The resilient member 30 may be formed of any material found suitable, such as spring steel, but we prefer to form the same of a resilient plastic material, such as -nylon. The arrangement is such that the spring will normally assume a predetermined shape to spread the jaws and will be flexed, as illustrated in dotted lines in FIG. 1, when the device is operated to a clamping or closing position of the jaws.

The jaw 20.is preferably substantially straight and carries, as by integral formation therewith, flanges or wings-31 cooperating to define a substantially circular The center of the circular jaw face is located closer to the pivot axis 29 than is the jaw portion 28. The jaw 20 also preferably includes a longitudinal rib 32 extending from the free end thereof to a point adjacent to but spaced from the web 21. A

recess 33 is formed in the rib 32 in registering and substantially centered relation to-the jaw portion 28 and at the outer or free end of jaw 20. Recess 33 is preferably of substantially conical form in cases where spherical weight members are to be employed in the device, or may be of any other suitable configuration complementary to the shape of or adapted to receive the weight member employed in the device. A stud 34 extends through the jaw 20 in centered relation to the circular flange 31 and preferably includes an enlarged portion 35 seating upon the inner face of the rib or shoulder 22 and a screwj of the carrier.

formed and secured to'the carrier. carriermust be capable of retaining the individual weight V v 3 threaded portion 36 on which is threaded a clamping nut 37. i

A flexible carrier 40 for weight members 41 to be applied to a line 42 by-clamping or clinching thereof upon said line is adapted for detachable mounting on the jaw 20 of the device. The weight members 41 are split atV-43 to receive the line 42, as illustrated in FIG. 6. The carrier 40 is preferably circular and flexible. Carrier 46 is preferably formed from flexible plastic molded sheet material, although it may be formed 'ofany-other material found suitable. In the preferred construction of the device, the member 40 has a central or hub portion 44 with central opening 45. A circular concentric offset or shoulder portion 46 surrounds the hub portion 44 and a substantially flat annular portion 47 surrounds shoulder portion 46. A marginal .flange 48 outlines the annular part 47, the same being substantially cylindrical and serving to impart shape-retaining properties to the carrier member 40 without preventing 'flexingthereof. The carrier member 40 is preferably of substantially uniform thin cross-section throughout andiis preferably fabricated by vacuum forming of plastic sheet material, although any other suitable process of forming the same may be employed. The annular part 47 is interrupted by a plurality of pockets or recesses 49 formed therein and projecting from the plane thereof .to receive the weight members 41, as best seen inFIG. 8. Thus where the weight members 41 are substantially spherical, the pockets 49 will be of substantially hemispherical shape. The pockets 49 are spaced apart and are arranged in an annular series concentric with the member 40. Pockets 49 preferably are oflset from the annular part 47 in the same direction in which the marginal flange 48 extends from part 47.

The aperture 45 in the carrier 40 is of a size to fit snugly around the enlarged portion 35 of the stud 34 when the carrier hub part 44 bears against the inner surface of the jaw 20. and particularly upon the surface of the ridge or rib 32. The nut 37 provides detachable means to hold the carrier in place upon the jaw.

The. spacing of the pockets 49 from the apertures 45 of the carrier is such that pockets 49 will seat in the therewith. The carrier assumes its flat or normal position when a pocket 49 thereof seats in jaw recess 33 and deflection of the part 47 of the carrier is required to dislodge the pocket 49 from said recess 33. This insures that the carrier will be held or maintained in a recess 33 in the face 'of .the jaw 20 when in register.

rotative position to register a split weight member'41 with the upper jaw 28 after once being so set, until the device is operated forcibly and manually to change the rotative position of the carrier upon the jaw.

The weight membersl41 are held to the carrier in pockets 49 by any means found suitable. For this purpose we prefer toemploy a layer of coating material which has a substantial body-forming property and which will adhere to the body of the carrier 40; Such a coa'tmay include a part .50 adhering to the face. of the part 47 of the carrier, and part 51 adhering to the weight member 41 or at least extending partly thereover. If desired the coating may include part- 52 adhering to the offset 46, and. part 53. adhering to the central hub 44 Alternatively, the retainer may be pre- In any event the ing may. beformed of fluid' plastic material having the property of drying'and setting in air. Such a. coating members 41 in the carrier pockets 49,during handling therieofjand during the time that the tool is carried in the pocket'by the user as he is actively fishing or in traveling-to and from fishing grounds. The retainer should also preferably be frangible 'so that it will break jweight member after "it hasbeen elahipeanpen a. line,

as illustrated inFIG. 7.

when the pliers are operated to clamp or squeeze the It will be apparent from the foregoing that the device canbe'leadea with a supply of weight members confined in carrier 40 and positioned thereby in such a manner as to facilitate their selective positioning in register with the plier jaw 28 for the purpose of clamping or squeezing thereof between jaws 20 and 28. The carrier 40 is readily applied to and removed from the device, and it is preferably flexible and resilient so that it will yield or deflect enough to accommodate release of a weight member and carrier pocket 49 from the jaw recess 33 by a rotation of the carrier 40 on jaw 20. While flexibility of the carrier 40 is preferred, the same may be rigid, in which event its mounting upon the tool unit will preferably permit limited rocking thereof. Thus spring means, such as the coil spring encircling the stud 34, 35 and bearing thereagainst, may be used to normally hold the carrier in the position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. This arrangement will permit a pocket forming projection of the carrier to seat in the recess 33 of the clamping jaw on part of the tool and thereby prevent free rotation of the carrier and insure registration of a selected weight with the clamping parts of the tool. At the same time the structure will accommodate the tilting or movement of the carrier required to permit rotation of the carrier to present successive or selected weight members of the carrier in clamping position in the tool.

The kerfs 0r splits 43 in the weight members 41 are positioned at the outer portions of the weight members as they are mounted in carrier 40 so that the insertion of a line 42 into the kerf of the weight member registering with recess 33 and jaw 28 is accomplished easily, as illustrated in FIG. 6. The clamping of weight members upon the line by the squeeze action of the jaws 20, 28 breaks the retainer portion 51 and releases the clamped weight member from the carrier. This breakage will usually be confined to the retainer portion 51 at the clamped weight member and preferably will not disturb or break adjacent portions 51 of the retainer of the carrier or the'body of the carrier.

Another advantage of the device is that carriers 40 can be supplied in different types, all of approximately the same size and shape and each carrying weight members of selectedsize, or weight members of several dif- 33. The jaw recess 33 will be of either conical or tapered shape so as to register or center therein the juxtaposed carrier pocket 49 and its contained weight member 41 regardless of the size and shape of the latter. The flanges 31 protect the flexible carrier 40 at portions projecting laterally from the jaws 2025.

It is frequently desirable or necessary to remove a weight member which has been clamped upon the line in a manner illustrated in FIG. 7. The Weight members "41 employed by anglers and intended for use in the present device are commonly formed of leader other soft material capable of being readily and easily cut or de- 60- formed to accommodate ease of clamping thereof upon commodate removal thereof from a line.

a line and ease of splitting or grooving thereof to ac- The operation of splitting or grooving a weight member clamped upon a line requires care to safeguard against cutting of the line during the cutting or grooving of the weight itself. A device which will readily and quickly accomplish this function is included in the tool illustrated and disclosed herein.

The web of one part of the plier-like tool, such as the web 24, projects rearwardly from the pivot member 29 thereof along the handle part 23, as illustrated in FIG.

. 1', with a part of its edge extending substantially parallel to the handle 23 and being substantially aligned with or disposed radiallyrrelative to the pivot member '29. A groove 60 extends lengthwise in said edge of ;the said rearwardly projecting web part 24, being outlined by lonerably of substantial length. The ribs 61 are interrupted by transverse grooves 62 of a depth slightly'greater than the depth of the groove 60, as best seen in FIG. 9. A conical 'or tapered recess 63 is formed in the bottom of the groove 60 with its center substantially coinciding with the point of intersection of the center lines of the grooves 60 and 62. It will be apparent that when the plier handles are separated from the position illustrated in FIG. 1, a weight member 41 clamped upon a line 42, as seen in FIG. 7, can readily be moved into the groove 60 into a position seating in or registering with the recess 63 and with its mounting line 42 extending through the lateral or transverse grooves 62. At the ends of the transverse grooves, the same are deepened preferably with a curved contour, as best illustrated at 65 in FIG. 11, to permit the line 42 to pass around the jaw 24 and to be held substantially clear of the outline of the groove 60. In other words, the user can press portions of the line 42, at opposite sides of the weight 41 to be removed,

firmly against the opposite faces of the web 24 in a taut.

condition without danger of injuring the line due to the curvature of the grooved end bottom at 65.

The web 21 of the opposite plier part is widened or enlarged between the pivot 29 and the handle 22 to provide a portion which confronts the groove portion 60 of the web part 24. This web portion 21 will be of such dimension as to provide all clearance necessary for closing movement of the jaws 20, 25 for the purpose of clamping a weight member on a line in the manner described above. The rear end portion of the web 21 is recessed at 70 to provide a shoulder 71 which is preferably flat and substantially transverse with respect to the longitudinal dimension of the handle 22. The shoulder 71 provides an abutment surface for a blade 72 which is secured in operative position by any suitable securing means, such as screw 73 having threaded engagement in a tapped bore 74 in the web 21 substantially centrally of the recess 70. A tapered tip or cutting edge portion 75 of the blade projects from the web 21 in the direction of the web 24 and is of such a size and shape as to be received in the transverse grooves 62 in the web 24, as illustrated in FIGS. 9, l and 11. The blade part 74 is of a width greater than the diameter or other dimension of the weight member 41 parallel to the line 42 upon which the weight member 41 is clamped, as best illustrated in FIG. 11.

The operation of the device is best seen in FIGS. and 11 from which it will be apparent that, when a weight 41 is mounted by a line 42 is seated in recess 63 in the plier web 24 with its line 42 extending through the transverse groove 62 and drawn taut to seat against the curved ends 65 of said groove, the splitting operation is accomplished by simply gripping the handles 22, 23 to move them toward each other in a manner to cause the projected part 75 of the blade to penetrate the weight 41. The cut or slot which is formed by the projecting blade portion 75 will be parallel to the part of the line 42 which is clamped by the weight being cut; therefore it does not matter Whether the out being duly formed coincides with the previous cut in the weight or whether it is disposed at an angle thereto, as illustrated in FIG. 10. In the latter case, the blade serves to cut into the weight member in a manner to sever the segment 141 of the weight member between the previously formed and closed kerf and the new slot formed by the cutting blade 75. In so doing it is not necessary to cut through completely, that is, to completely sever the segment 141 from the remainder of the weight, and in this way it is possible to avoid contact of the cutting edge of the blade portion 75 with the line 42. In other words, if only a small part of the flexible soft metal remains after the new slot 6 is formed in the weight, the body of the weight will have been so weakened that the segment 141 can be removed readily by the fingers. Of course, the device can be operated with the previous slot aligned withthe blade,

$1 in which event the said slot is reopened by the operation of the device to facilitate separation of the weight from the line. The re-split weight is removable as soon as the handles 22, 23 are separated sufliciently to withdraw the blade from the transverse grooves 62 sufliciently to permit the line to pass over the rib 61 and the severed weight member to pass out through the open end of the groove 60.

While the prefered embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described herein, it will be understood that changes in the construction may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

We claim:

1. In combination, a tool unit having a pair of relatively shiftable parts, a carrier unit mounting a plurality of slotted weight members in predetermined spaced relation, and means mounting said carrier unit on one tool part with a portion thereof located between said tool parts in position for engagement of said portion of said carrier by andbetween said tool parts, said weight members being substantially equally spaced from said means.

2. In combination, a tool unit having a pair of pivotally connected jaws, a carrier unit mounting a plurality of slotted weight members in predetermined spaced relation, and means mounting said carrier unit on'one jaw with a portion thereof between said jaws in position for engagement of said portion of said carrier by said other jaw, said weight members being substantially equally spaced from said means, said tool unit consisting of pliers having hand grip members for operating said jaws.

3. In combination, a tool unit having a pair of relatively shiftable parts, a carrier unit mounting a plurality of slotted weight members in predetermined spaced relation, and means mounting said carrier unit on one tool part in position for engagement of a portion of said carrier by said other tool part, said weight members being substantially equally spaced from said means, said carrier-mounting tool part having a recess confronting the other tool part, said carrier having weight-receiving projections adapted to seat selectively in said recess.

4. In combination, a tool unit having a pair of relatively shiftable parts, a carrier unit mounting a plurality of slotted weight members in predetermined spaced rela tion, and means mounting said carrier unit on one tool part, a portion of said carrier being located between said tool parts for engagement by said tool parts, said weight members being substantially equally spaced from said means, said carrier-mounting tool part having a large area providing an abutment for said carrier in all rotative positions thereof.

5. In combination, a tool unit having a a pair of relatively shiftable parts, a carrier unit mounting a plurality of slotted weight members in predetermined spaced rela tion, and means mounting said carrier unit on one tool part with a portion between said tool parts and in position for engagement of said portion of said carrier by said tool parts, said weight members being substantially equally spaced from said means, said carrier including a frangible part fractured by application of squeezing pressure upon a weight member by said tool parts.

6. In combination, a tool unit including a pair of clamping parts and means for actuating said parts, a carrier unit mounting a plurality of slotted weight members in spaced relation, and means for rotatably securing said carrier unit on one tool part with a portion of said unit located between said clamping parts to accommodate engagement of a selected weight member by and between said tool parts.

7. In combination, a tool unit including a pair of clamping parts and means for actuating said parts, a

carrier unitmounting a. plurality ofslotted weight membersin spaced-"relation; and-means for rotatably securing-(.

said carrier unit on. one: tool part with a portion thereof. between saidtolampingpms for engagement ofi a selected weight'member between: said tool parts, the opposite tool part being curved for clearance said carrier unit intermediate its: length: andiengagement a.weights member at itscndi s .7

8. In combination, a toolunit including: a pair-i of. clamping parts. arid means for: actuating saidi pm acarrier unit mounting a plurality oftslotted weight members in spaced relation, means for rotatably securing'said carrier-unit on one tool part? with a portion between said clamping parts" for: engagement of a. selected weight member between said tool: parts; and resilient m'eanslfor normally positioning. said: tool: parts in spaced relation.

9. In combination, a tool: unit including a pair of V clamping'parts and means for actuating said parts, a

carrier. unit mounting a plurality of slotted weight membersin spaced relation. and having a central aperture and a securing member rem'ovably mounted in one tool part and passing through" the. aperture inasaidcarrier unit, a portion'of said carrier unitbeingpbsitiohe'dgbetweerr s'aidi clamping parts.

10. In combination, a tool imitv including apair of clamping parts and meansfor actuating said' parts, a:.

carrier unitmounting a plurality of slotted weight membars in spaced.relation,= and" means for rotatably securing. said carrier unit on one tool part. with; a portion; thereof between/said clamping partslior engagement of a selected weight member between said: toolparts; saidcarrier unit' comprising a substantially circular member formed of a material of substantially uniform wall thickness and having a concentric circular. series of spacedpocketseaclr receiving aweight member.

'11. In combination, a tool unit including a pair. of

clamping parts and means for actuatingsaid parts, a

said carrier unit on one tool part with a: portionsthereofl between said clamping parts forengagement of a selected Weight member'betweensaid tool=- parts-,- said carrier -unib comprising a substantially circular. membenformed of'a: material ofsub'stant'ially uniformwal-l thiekness andthaning a concentric; circular series of spaced: pockets each, receiving; a weight member, and weight-retaininggmeans carriedby saidcircular member; 12. In combination; a; tool. unit including a of. clamping parts and; means; for actuating said parts;;.a carrierunit. mountinga;- plul'alitfy of slotted Weight mom: bars: in spaced relation, and? means: for rotatably securing said carrier unit on one tool part forlengagementaof a selected weight member between" saidtool parts,v said: carrier unit comprising asubstantially circular" member formed of a material of substantially uniform wall:ithi-eknessand having a concentric circular series ofispaeed. pockets and receiving? a weight member, anda syntheticresiu film adheredto said circular member and overlying. at leastpart; of I said weight members to r'etair'n the; same in? said pockets; 7 I a References Cited-in the file ofthi'spatent UNITED STATES' PATENTS Rea-5 ,575 Bedell Sept-.123 1&1} 2533866 etal. Feb; 21H,v 1882* 1,177,303 Carski Mar; 28 i916- 2-,603,992 Brown a 111131122; 1952 2,651,958 Deline Sept. 15-,- 1953 2,670,643 Clark -7 Mar.- 2,.1954 2,74-5 177 Kortick May. 1 5,.19'56;

FOREIGN PATENTS 606,159 Great Britain Aug. 6 194% 

